Flood control system

ABSTRACT

A system for controlling flooding comprises a fitting coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building, a pipe connected to the fitting and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom, and a first drainage line extending from the pipe to a drainage area for discharge of water from within the drain pit. The fitting may be sealingly coupled to the preexisting drain pit. According to one aspect, the fitting may at least partially extend into the drain pit. For example, the fitting may extend at least four inches into the drain pit. Further, a cap may be attached to an open end of the pipe remote from the fitting. In some instances, the system may further comprise a pump within said drain pit underlying the fitting pump. This pump may be a sump pump or a removable pump. Even further included may be a control for operating the pump.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/868,595 filed Dec. 5, 2006,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Groundwater flooding can cause many problems for homeowners, such asstructural damage, sewer system back-ups, and damaged appliances. Duringextreme flooding, water pressure can collapse foundation walls. Manyhomes have full or partial basements, which act as reverse swimmingpools, holding water from rainfall or melted snow outside its walls.

Foundation drain tile systems may transport ground water away from abasement. As the water content in soil surrounding a house increases,the water travels down alongside a foundation into a pipe. The draintile or pipe is usually four inches in diameter and is perforated or haspre-drilled holes along its length. The pipes may be laid to catch waterfrom areas surrounding and underneath a basement. Filter media or gravelis used to cover the drain tile. Water flows readily through the gravelin to the pipe. The drain tile pipe runs beneath the basement to a sumppit installed in the basement where the water is collected. Thecollected water is typically removed from the sump pit using a sumppump.

Typical sump pumps detect when the level of the collected water reachesa predetermined height. Specifically, a float may be positioned in thesump pit, wherein the float activates an electromechanical pump when thewater raises the float to a particular height. Once the pump isactivated, the electrically powered pump forces water up through a piperunning up and out of the basement.

Typical sump pumps may be problematic in that they require electricityto operate. Accordingly, if the power goes out during a strong storm,when large amounts of water likely collect around a basement, the pumpwill not operate. Further, when the pump is operative, it consumes highamounts of electricity, thus wasting resources and increasing utilitycosts. Accordingly, a “greener” and more reliable alternative isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a system for controllingflooding, comprising a fitting coupled to a preexisting drain pit in abuilding, a pipe connected to the fitting and having a portion extendingupwardly therefrom, and a first drainage line extending from the pipe toa drainage area for discharge of water from within the drain pit. Thefitting may be sealingly coupled to the preexisting drain pit. Accordingto one aspect, the fitting may at least partially extend into the drainpit. For example, the fitting may extend at least four inches into thedrain pit. Further, a cap may be attached to an open end of the piperemote from the fitting.

A second drainage line may be connected to the pipe and extend to thedrainage area or another drainage area. The drainage area may includepreexisting plumbing, such as a sink. In some instances, the system mayfurther comprise a pump within said drain pit underlying the fittingpump. This pump may be a sump pump or a removable pump. Even furtherincluded may be a control for operating the pump.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system for controllingflooding comprising a fitting sealingly coupled to a preexisting drainpit in a building and at least partially covering a sump pump within thedrain pit, said sump pump having a first pipe extending upwardlytherefrom. A second pipe may be connected to the fitting, having aportion extending upwardly therefrom, and surrounding at least a portionof the first pipe. A drainage line may extend from the second pipe to adrainage area, the drainage line providing an outlet for water rising upthe second pipe.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method of making a systemadapted for controlling flooding in a building having an open drain pit.This method comprises arranging a fitting overlaying an opening of saiddrain pit, and forming a seal between said fitting and said drain pit toprovide at least a partially sealed environment between said fitting andsaid drain. Moreover, the method comprises coupling a discharge linebetween said fitting in fluid communication with said partially sealedenvironment and a remote drainage area, whereby water present in saiddrain pit is channeled through said fitting to said drainage area viasaid discharge line.

This method may further comprise arranging a pump within the drain pitand arranging the fitting around at least a portion of the pump.Further, an actuator may be provided for the engaging the pump, theactuator being manual or automatic.

A further aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus forcontrolling flooding, comprising a fitting having one end adapted to becoupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building, and having another endadapted to be coupled to a pipe. A pipe interconnectable with thefitting may have a portion extending upwardly therefrom. A drainage linemay extend from the pipe to a drainage area for discharge of water fromwithin said drain pit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a flood control system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a flood control systemaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a system according to another embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a floodcontrol system 100 is provided wherein a fitting 150 of the system 100is inserted into a drainage pit 110 preformed in floor 130. Connected tothe fitting 150 is a pipe 160 extending upwardly away from the pit 110.A cap 180 may cover an open end of the pipe 160, for example, to preventany debris from falling into the pipe 160. Connected to the pipe 160 arefirst and second drainage lines 170, 175. As shown, the first drainageline 170 extends through a wall 132 of the building, and further extendsa substantial distance away from the wall 132. Second drainage line 175connects to a preexisting plumbing source, such as a utility sink 136.

A drain tile 120 is positioned to divert water to the drain pit 110.Specifically, the drain tile 120 may include perforations 124, so thatwhen water seeps through the ground 134 and through filter 126, it willfurther seep into the drain tile 120. From there it is carried to an end122 of the drain tile 120 and into the drain pit 110. According to oneembodiment, the end 122 of the drain tile 120 may include a check valveso that water only flows into the drain pit 110 and not back into thetile 120.

Accordingly, as groundwater seeps into the drain pit 110, the waterlevel will rise up the pit 110 into the fitting 150 and further up thepipe 160. When the water level reaches the height of the drainage line170, it will exit through the first drainage line 170 and away from thebuilding. Any water rising above the first drainage line 170 exitsthrough the second drainage line 175.

Drain pits installed in many homes are typically one of a few standardsizes. For example, a substantial number of drain pits are ten inches indiameter. Accordingly, the fitting 150 may be formed with a ten inchdiameter to securely fit within the drain pit 110. Moreover, variousmodels of the fitting 150 may correlate to the standard sizing of drainpits.

The fitting 150 may preferably include a round outer surface tocomfortably fit within the drain pit 110. That is, because most drainpits are cylindrical, a rounded outer surface of the fitting 150 wouldclosely correlate to a surface of the drain pit 110, thereby providing amore secure fit. However, it should be understood that an outer surfaceof the fitting 150 may be any shape, including rectangular, octagonal orirregularly shaped.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fitting 150 furtherincludes a second surface extending towards the pipe 160. As better seenin FIG. 2, second surface 254 extends between the first surface of thefitting and the pipe. This surface may be frustoconical, thereby forcingany water rising therethrough up towards the pipe 160. However, similarto the surface corresponding to the drain pit 110, the second surfacemay be any size or shape. Moreover, it should be understood that thefitting 150 may include any number of surfaces. For example, the fitting150 may be hemispherical, cubical, cylindrical, polygonal, orirregularly shaped.

The fitting 150 may be formed of any of a variety of materials,including but not limited to metals, plastics, glass, and polymers.Plastic may preferably be used in order to withstand wear (e.g., rust)caused by frequent contact with water. Some examples of durable andcost-efficient plastics include vinyl, polyethylene, polypropylene, andpolystyrene.

As mentioned above, the fitting 150 may be placed at least partiallywithin the drain pit 110. Preferably, the fitting 150 may be submersedfour to six inches into the drain pit 110. However, it should beunderstood that the fitting 150 may be placed any depth into the drainpit 110, or not into the drain pit 110 at all. For example, the fitting150 may be arranged to cover the drain pit 110, wherein a bottom surfaceof the fitting 150 rests on the floor 130. This aspect will be explainedin more detail with respect to FIG. 3.

To ensure a more secure placement of the fitting 150 in or over thedrain pit 110, a seal may be implemented. For example, where the fitting150 is placed within the drain pit 110, a seal may fill any gaps betweenthe outer surface of the fitting 150 and the inner surface of the drainpit 150. Further, a seal may be placed near a top portion of the drainpit 110 approximately level with the floor 130. In this regard, the sealensures that no water escapes from the pit 110, and that the floodcontrol system 100 remains securely in place. Any of a variety ofsealants may be used to this effect, including cork, shellac compound,or weather stripping sealant, caulking compounds, waterproof orresistant adhesives, and the like.

The pipe 160 may vary over a wide range of lengths. According to oneembodiment, where the drainage line 170 leads to an area outside thebuilding, the pipe 160 may be at least as tall as the distance to groundlevel. For example, if the basement is five feet under ground, the pipe160 may preferably be five or six feet long. In this regard, waterchanneled up the pipe 160 may naturally flow down through drainage line170 due to gravity. According to another example, where the drain pit110 is thirty feet below grade, the pipe 160 may extend approximatelythirty-five feet upward. Although the pipe 160 is shown as beingstraight and extending approximately vertically, it should be understoodthat the pipe 160 may take a variety of forms, for example, as describedin connection with FIG. 3.

The pipe 160 may also vary in diameter. Although according to one aspectof the invention the pipe may preferably be six inches in diameter, thepipe 160 may be wider or narrower according to other aspects. Forexample, in the embodiment explained below in connection with FIG. 2,where a conventional sump pump resides within the flood control system,a wider diameter pipe 160 may be preferred. Moreover, the diameter ofthe pipe 160 may be determined by an average water content of the groundon which the building resides. Thus, for example, in areas withsubstantial levels of groundwater, a wider pipe 160 may be desired toprevent overflow.

Similar to the fitting 150, any of a variety of materials may be used toform the pipe 160. For example, the pipe may be plastic, aluminum, tin,or glass. Further, the pipe 160 may be composed of the same or differentmaterial as the fitting 150.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cap 180 may cover an open end of the pipe 160. Thecap 180 may prevent any debris from falling into the pipe 160 andinterfering with the flood control system 100. Additionally, the cap 180may prevent the water level within the pipe 160 from rising over the topend of the pipe 160.

Drainage lines 170, 175 may be connected to the pipe 160, for example,via connectors (not shown) formed into the pipe 160. The connectors maytake the form of short spouts extending from a side of the pipe 160. Forease of connection of drainage lines, the connectors may be threaded ormay include some other fastening mechanism. Any connectors that are notused may merely be capped to prevent water leakage.

The drainage lines 170, 175 may be any length or diameter. However, thelines 170, 175 should be large enough to easily allow water to passthrough and out of the pipe 160. Moreover, depending on the terminationof the lines 170, 175, they may also be of at least a predeterminedlength. For example, according to an aspect where the drainage line 170extends through the wall 132 and to an area outside the building, theline 170 should preferably extend far enough away from the building thatthe water is not merely recycled back to the drain tile 120. An exampleof an appropriate length in this circumstance may be twenty to thirtyfeet. According to another aspect where the drainage line 175 runs to apreexisting plumbing source, the line 175 may be shorter. For example,if the utility sink 136 is within close proximity of the flood controlsystem 100, a length of five to ten feet may be appropriate.

Although the drainage lines 170, 175 may be placed anywhere along thepipe 160, strategic placement may facilitate drainage of the water. Forexample, if the drainage line 170 is extending to an area outside thebuilding, the line 170 should be placed at least as high as the groundlevel, and perhaps even higher. Moreover, a user may prefer that lesseramounts of water be drained to areas such as preexisting plumbingsources 136. In this regard, the drainage line 175 may be used as anauxiliary drainage line, and placed above a main drainage line (e.g.,line 170).

Although two drainage lines 170, 175 are implemented in the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that any number of lines may beused. For example, in areas with high groundwater content, more drainagelines may be desirable. However, in many circumstances, a singledrainage line should be sufficient.

The flood control system 100, including the fitting 150, the pipe 160,the drainage lines 170/175, and the cap 180 may be integrally formed.Alternatively, only some components, such as the fitting 150 and thepipe 160, may be integrally formed. According to an even furtherembodiment, each component of the flood control system 100 may be aseparate interconnectable component. Therefore, it should be understoodthat any number of components may be used with the system 100, andcomponents may be added or replaced as necessary. For example, a damagedpipe 160 may be replaced with another pipe. Further, if a taller ordifferent shaped pipe would assist in drainage of water from the pit110, additional piping components may be attached to the existing pipe160.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the flood control system.According to this embodiment, the flood control system 200 is used inconjunction with a conventional sump pump 202. Specifically, theconventional sump pump may reside within drain pit 210 and serve as aprimary unit for channeling water away from a building. The floodcontrol system 200 may serve as a backup means of preventing flooding inthe event of failure of the sump pump 202. Alternatively, the floodcontrol system 200 may serve as the primary unit for diverting water,and the conventional sump pump 202 may be activated only as desired by auser.

As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional sump pump 202 resides within a drainpit 210 connected to drain tile 220. The flood control system 200 alsopartially resides within the drain pit 110 and surrounds a portion ofsump pump pipe 206. Sealant 290 may be applied around a portion offitting 250 (e.g., lower portion 252) to secure the system 200 in placein the drain pit 210. A second portion 254 of fitting 250 may connect topipe 260, which extends up and away from the fitting 250. Connectors272, 274 allow for connection of drainage line 270, which extendsoutside through a wall 232.

Where the flood control system 200 is implemented as a backup, theconventional sump pump 202 may operate similarly to its operationwithout the flood control system 200. Namely, when the water level inthe drain pit 110 rises enough to lift float 204 to a predeterminedheight, the sump pump 202 would be activated. As it is connected topower supply 208, water would be pumped from the drain pit 110 and upthrough pipe 206.

However, in the event of a power failure, or if the conventional pump202 cannot pump the water quickly enough, the flood control system 200would prevent overflow of the water from the drain pit 110. For example,the water would raise up through the fitting 250 and into the pipe 260.The water would then flow through drainage line 270 and out away fromthe building, without need for any electricity.

Alternatively, the flood control system 200 may operate as the main unitfor diverting water. For example, the conventional sump pump 202 may bemanually switched on only as desired by a user. As a further example,the conventional sump pump 202 may automatically turn on as water beginsto recede, in order to prevent any water below a level of the connectors272, 274 from flowing back into the ground. This may be effected by, forexample, placing sensors within the pipe 260 which detect apredetermined decrease in the water level. Such sensors may beconfigured to trigger activation of the sump pump 202 upon suchdetection.

It should be understood that this embodiment may be varied, for example,to include a second drainage line attached to the connector 274.Additionally, a cap may be placed at an end of the pipe 260, while stillpermitting the channel 206 to pass through.

According to a variant of this embodiment, a removable pump may be usedin place of the conventional sump pump 202. For example, a small pumpmay be inserted into the drain hole 210 through an open end of the pipe260. This pump may be powered electrically, mechanically, withbatteries, or with any combination of such sources. For example, thepump may include a manual crank with a backup battery supply.Alternatively or additionally, the pump may include wiring forattachment to a power supply. This wiring may be passed throughconnector 274, or any other opening in the pipe 260. In this regard, theremovable pump may be inserted and powered as needed to facilitatedrainage of the water in the drain pit 210. The pump may also beremoved, for example, through the open end of the pipe 260, as desired.

According to another aspect, shown in FIG. 3, flood control system 300may be configured over a preexisting drain pit 310. For example, fitting350 is positioned to cover the drain pit 310, as opposed to residingwithin it. Accordingly, a lower portion of the fitting 350 may be sizedand shaped to fit over an opening 312 of the drain pit 310. The fitting350 may be secured to the floor 330 by any means, such as with bolts,adhesive, solder, or the like. A seal 390 may be applied around ajuncture of the fitting 350 and the floor 330 to ensure that no waterleaks through this juncture.

Also shown in FIG. 3, piping connected to the fitting 350 is composed ofseveral different parts—lower pipe 360, elbow pipe 362, and end pipe364. End pipe 364 may be terminated by cap 380 to prevent spillage fromits end. According to this embodiment, water rising up in drain pit 310would be channeled into the fitting 350, and further channeled intolower pipe 360. Rather than rising up a tall pipe to a drainage line,the water would only rise up to the elbow pipe 360 before it wasdiverted into the end pipe 364. End pipe 364 may be substantiallyparallel with floor 330, or may even be positioned at an angle such thatthe cap 380 is lower than the elbow pipe 362. Because drainage line 370is connected to the end pipe 364, any water that passed through theelbow pipe 362 would be drained. In this regard, the water may bedrained quickly, and when the water rising though the fitting 350recedes, water within the end pipe 364 would be drained through thedrainage line 370, as opposed to flowing back into the drain pit 310.

The foregoing embodiments may be used to control flooding in any type ofbuilding, such as commercial or residential properties. The system canalso be used for any size property, for example, apartment buildings,large homes, smaller homes, and office buildings.

It should be understood that the described embodiments are merelyillustrative of the principles and applications of the presentinvention. Although numerous features have been described with respectto each of the various embodiments, it should be understood that thefeatures of one embodiment may be applied to any other. It is thereforeto be understood that numerous modifications may be made to theillustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devisedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A system for controlling flooding, comprising: a fitting coupled to apreexisting drain pit in a building; a pipe connected to the fitting andhaving a portion extending upwardly therefrom; and a first drainage lineextending from the pipe to a drainage area for discharge of water fromwithin said drain pit.
 2. The system for controlling flooding accordingto claim 1, wherein said fitting is sealingly coupled to saidpreexisting drain pit.
 3. The system for controlling flooding accordingto claim 1, wherein said pipe has an open end remote from said fitting,and a cap attached to said open end of said pipe.
 4. The system forcontrolling flooding according to claim 1, wherein the fitting at leastpartially extends into the drain pit.
 5. The system for controllingflooding according to claim 4, wherein the fitting extends at least fourinches into the drain pit.
 6. The system for controlling floodingaccording to claim 1, further comprising a second drainage lineconnected to the pipe.
 7. The system for controlling flooding accordingto claim 1, wherein the drainage area includes preexisting plumbing. 8.The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, wherein thepipe includes at least one bend following the portion extending upwardlyfrom the fitting, and wherein the drainage line connects to a portion ofthe pipe following the at least one bend.
 9. The system for controllingflooding according to claim 1, further comprising a pump within saiddrain pit underlying said fitting.
 10. The system for controllingflooding according to claim 9, wherein the pump is a sump pump.
 11. Thesystem for controlling flooding according to claim 9, wherein the pumpis a removable pump.
 12. The system for controlling flooding accordingto claim 9, further comprising a control for operating the pump.
 13. Thesystem for controlling flooding according to claim 1, further comprisingat least one additional pipe coupled between the fitting and thedrainage line.
 14. A system for controlling flooding, comprising: afitting sealingly coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building andat least partially covering a sump pump within the drain pit, said sumppump having a first pipe extending upwardly therefrom; a second pipeconnected to the fitting and having a portion extending upwardlytherefrom, the pipe surrounding at least a portion of the first pipe;and a drainage line extending from the second pipe to a drainage area,the drainage line providing an outlet for water rising up the secondpipe.
 15. A method of making a system adapted for controlling floodingin a building having an open drain pit, said method comprising:arranging a fitting overlaying an opening of said drain pit; forming aseal between said fitting and said drain pit to provide at least apartially sealed environment between said fitting and said drain pit;and coupling a discharge line between said fitting and a remote drainagearea, whereby water present in said drain pit is channeled through saidfitting to said drainage area via said discharge line.
 16. The method ofmaking a system adapted for controlling flooding according to claim 15,further comprising arranging a pump within the drain pit.
 17. The methodof making a system adapted for controlling flooding according to claim16, further comprising arranging the fitting around at least a portionof the pump.
 18. The method of making a system adapted for controllingflooding according to claim 16, further comprising providing anactivator for engaging the pump.
 19. The method of making a systemadapted for controlling flooding according to claim 18, furthercomprising providing a manual activator for engaging the pump.
 20. Themethod of making a system adapted for controlling flooding according toclaim 15, further comprising coupling at least one piping componentbetween said fitting and said discharge line.
 21. An apparatus forcontrolling flooding, comprising: a fitting having one end adapted to becoupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building, and having another endadapted to be coupled to a pipe; a pipe interconnectable with thefitting and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom; and adrainage line extending from the pipe to a drainage area for dischargeof water from within said drain pit.